Neck-yoke coupling



(Nb Modl.) I

11,11. SMITH. NBGK YOKB GOUPLING. No. 490,046. Patented Jan. 17, 1893.

1n: mums mans comnovouwc wAsmuowN, a c.

Unites States Parent @l l lCEe REUBEN K. SMITH, OF GREELEY, COLORADO.

NECK-YOKE COUPLING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 490,046, dated January 17, 1893.

Application filed October 29, 1891- To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, REUBEN K. SMITH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Greeley, in the county of \Veld and State of Colorado, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Neck-Yoke and Tongue Gouplings; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to a certain new and highly useful improvement in neck-yokes for horses having for its object the production of an adjustable connection between the neckyoke and the pole or tongue of a vehicle whereby the yoke is free to move to adjust itself, and the end of the pole or tongue is inclosed and prevented from projecting beyond the yoke.

The invention, therefore, consists in the detail construction and arrangement of the parts substantially as hereinafter more fully dis: closed and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawingsz-Figure 1 is a plan view showing my improved neckyoke applied to a vehicle pole or tongue. Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view thereof taken longitudinally through the sleeve or thimble. Fig. 3 is a detail View of the plate attached to the neck-yoke.

Referring to the drawings, A designates a neck-yoke such as is in general or common use for attachment to horses neck harness. Around this yoke at its center is passed a band-plate a, which is curved to conform to the surface or contour of the yoke,said plate being held in place by a single screw a inserted through an aperture therein. The ends of this plate a are extended rearward to form two parallel ears b, which are provided with coincident holes or apertures b.

B is a sleeve or thimble which is made hollow and opened at its widened end, while from its other or forward end projects a lip or tongue U which is designed to fit snug between the parallel ears 2) of band-plate a, and the same is held therein by a pivot-bolt 0 passed through holes or apertures 7) and a Serial No. 410,287. (No model.)

coincident hole in said lip or tongue. Thus the thimble is free to oscillate or move from side to side with relation to the yoke and the plate secured thereto. Upon the rear end of this sleeve-0r thimble is an upper flange or shoulder b with which is designed to engage the forward, hooked end 61, of a holding spring hook D, rigidly secured upon the pole or tongue E. said flange, being beveled upon its upper surface downward and rearward as at 11 The forward, reduced end, of this tongue is provided with a rigid sleeve or metallic covering c to prevent wear by friction.

In practice, the sleeve or thimble B is placed upon the forward end of the pole or tongue E and is held thereon as against too great forward movement by the spring hook engaging th erewith, and in this way said end is inclosed and cannot project out beyond the neck-yoke. The spring hook is made sufficiently long to permit of the yoke having all necessary play or movement, and at the same time the sleeve cannot be pulled olf the end of the pole or tongue by the animals hitched to the vehicle. The pivotal connection between this sleeveand the neck-yoke and the loose connection between the former and the pole or tongue permits the yoke to turn or move in any direction, and at the same time said yoke is held at its center with relation to the pole or tongue. It will therefore be seen that, in effecting the engagement between the pole and the sleeve or thimble B of the neck yoke, the

spring-hook D rides upon the bevel of the flange b and snaps past the latter, thus automatically connecting said pole and neck'yoke together.

The advantages of my invention are apparent. It will be especially observed that by means thereof the entire pole or tongue is in rear of the neck yoke, the usual projectjng portion being inclosed or covered by the sleeve or thimble, and thereby protected and prevented from protruding into other teams as now often occurs. Then again the inconvenience heretofore experienced in having the reins entangled with the projecting end of the pole or tongue is entirely obviated.

My improved attachment is inexpensive, durable and lasting, and can be readily applied to any neck yoke now in use.

.lVhile the same results can be secured withneck-yoke proper, having its elip pivoted to said sleeve, and thespring-hook fastened to said pole or tongue and having its free end automatically engaging said flange, substani tially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

REUBEN K. SMITH. Witnesses:

F. W. SCOTT, O. A. WHITE. 

